Which is better, 2 or 3 blade decks?

I like 2 blades,may take little longer but it looks nicer for uneven ground.

would think it's more a case of best deck config match to area being mowed.. ie., a low lift 1 or 2 bladed deck does very well in southern centipede whereas a 3 blade hi lift deep deck might do better in the upper midwest grasses...? (sandy soil vs. clay soil, etc.) jmho...

The 3 blade deck is usually wider, mine is 50", and I think it gives a more even cut. I also think the better the deck mounts and rides also gives a more even cut.

Large decks ,with only 2 blades won't have as fast a blade tip speed,due to the longer,heavier blades.
3-blade decks usually have higher blade tip speeds,which results in better cutting in heavier grasses.,and smoother cuts.
I used to have the formula they used for determining the blade tip speeds,....I'll have to look it up.
OR you can use this link to find a calculator for it:
WWW.blocklayer.com

select pulley/belt/rpm/speed calculator
If the engine pulley is 6",and the blade pulley is 5 ",enter the speed(3600) on the large pulley box,and hit calculate
Disregard belt length(unless you want to find belt length,too).

jhngardner367 said:

Large decks ,with only 2 blades won't have as fast a blade tip speed,due to the longer,heavier blades.
3-blade decks usually have higher blade tip speeds,which results in better cutting in heavier grasses.,and smoother cuts.

Click to expand...

blade tip speeds in today's decks are controlled by the product design ; related allowed speeds are are defined by ANSI/OPEI industry standards and are different for consumer products (slower) vs commercial (faster - close to 19000 FPM). Blade tip speeds in 2 bladed decks are not necessarily slower than 3 bladed decks ..

Most decks ,today won't come anywhere near the maximum allowed speeds.
A 48" ,2-blade deck,has heavier ,longer blades,(which increases loads on the spindles/bearings,due to centrifugal force),than a 48" 3-blade deck.
Regardless,the OP asked which was better.
There are good ,and bad,in both types.
Are the blades straight,or formed?
Are you cutting tended ,smooth lawn or rough lawn/weeds ?
Is the deck full-floating,or not?
All these affect the cut,as well as blade tip speed,and deck design.
For instance,my boss lady has a Husqvarna LGT2554 "Garden tractor",(54" deck)that has one of the WORST-DESIGNED deck systems ,I've ever seen!
It won't cut grass over 5",without leaving clumps of uncut grass.
Yet,I can take my JD LX266,(42" Deck)and get a good cut in 12" grass,with no problem.
So,it's a matter of what works best for YOU,and what you like best.

and yer JD with hi lift blades in sandy soil might eat itself thru a set of blades in < one season. Point is there are more factors than just 2 vs 3 bladed decks.

That's basically what I'm saying,...got long - winded,did n't I ?? :lmao::lmao:
Pick what works best,and match the blades,and it should be good !!